Method and apparatus for unlocking electronic appliance

ABSTRACT

An unlocking method and apparatus for an electronic appliance are disclosed. The method and apparatus may enable a user to unlock the electronic appliance by identifying a gesture and to invoke a function mapped to the gesture. The unlocking method includes detecting a preset gesture input when an input means is locked. The method includes unlocking the input means in response to the input gesture. The method also includes invoking an application mapped to the input gesture in response to unlocking.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2008-0132497, filed on Dec. 23, 2008, which is herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a controlmethod and apparatus and, more particularly, to an unlocking method foran electronic appliance wherein a user can unlock the electronicappliance through an input gesture and may invoke an applicationassociated with the input gesture.

2. Description of the Background

With rapid advances in technology, manufacturers of mobile devices(e.g., cellular phones) are challenged to continually add greaterfunctional capabilities in smaller form using user interface features toachieve convenience of mobility.

For instance, beyond the already advanced mobile devices and datacapabilities, a device need to include other sophisticated functions,for example, a mobile terminal having a touch screen associated withfunctions of locking and unlocking method as an input means to preventunintended input result in a standby mode.

The goals of greater functionalities are sometimes at odd with unlockingthe mobile terminal in that a user may require extra actions such asentering a password or pressing an independent unlock key.

However, consumers expect more convenient capability in operatingfunctions of the mobile devices, and conventional unlocking scheme maydrive a user in trouble situations under circumstances the user forgetsthe password or needs to unlock the mobile terminal quickly. Inaddition, it takes a time to return to an initial menu from lockingmode, the user may be facing with inconveniency and require toinitialize menu options to operate a particular function. Therefore, tobe competitive, the manufacturers need to address ever growingrequirement for convenient and advanced unlocking function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an unlockingmethod for unlocking the electronic device in a more convenient andadvanced way.

Additional features of the invention will be set forth in thedescription which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide an unlockingmethod and apparatus for an electronic appliance that enable a user toinvoke a desired function in response to unlocking the electronicappliance.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclose a methoddetecting an input gesture applied by an input means. And the inputmeans is locked. The method includes unlocking the input means inresponse to the input gesture. The method also includes invoking anapplication mapped to the input gesture.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclose a terminalincluding a touch sensor associated with input means to receive an inputgesture. The input means is locked. The terminal also includes a displaysection to display an unlocking object. The terminal includes a storageunit to store the unlocking object. The terminal further includes acontrol unit to determine whether the input gesture is mapped with anapplication of the unlocking object. And an application mapped to theinput gesture is displayed in response to detection of unlocking theinput means.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclose an electronicappliance including an input means to receive a user gesture. Theelectronic appliance includes a processor that is configured todetermine whether to unlock the input means, and to invoke anapplication. The input means is unlocked and the application is invokedaccording to a mapping process associated with a mapping table bycomparing the user gesture with the application of the mapping table.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention further provides anunlocking method and apparatus for a mobile terminal having a touchscreen or touch pad that enable the user to conveniently unlock themobile terminal through an input gesture.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention further provides anunlocking method and apparatus for a mobile terminal having a touchscreen or touch pad that enable the user to directly invoke anapplication corresponding to an input gesture made to unlock the mobileterminal.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention further provides anunlocking method and apparatus for an electronic appliance that displaymapping information between unlocking gestures and applications, and,when an unlocking gesture is made, unlock the electronic appliance andinvoke an application mapped to the unlocking gesture.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention further provides anunlocking method and apparatus for an electronic appliance having agesture input means that enable the user to unlock the mobile terminalthrough an input gesture and to immediately invoke an application mappedto the input gesture.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,there is provided a method for a mobile terminal, including: detectingan input gesture applied by an input means, the input means beinglocked; unlocking the input means in response to the input gesture; andinvoking an application mapped to the input gesture. In accordance withanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provideda method for an electronic appliance, including: detecting an inputgesture through an input means capable of receiving the input gesture;unlocking the input means in response to the input gesture; and invokingan application mapped to the input gesture.

Detecting a gesture input through an input means may include detectingone of: a gesture input signal generated by a motion sensor sensingmotion of the user; a gesture input signal generated by a touch pad ortouch screen sensing contact and movement of a particular object; agesture input signal generated by a speech recognition sensor sensingvocal sounds of the user; and a gesture input signal corresponding to acontrol signal that is generated by a remote controller sensing motionor pointing action of the user, and sent through wired and wirelesscommunication.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, there is provided a terminal including: a touch sensorassociated with input means to receive an input gesture, the input meansbeing locked; a display section to display an unlocking object; astorage unit to store the unlocking object; and a control unit todetermine whether the input gesture is mapped with an application of theunlocking object, wherein an application mapped to the input gesture isdisplayed in response to detection of unlocking the input means.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, there is provided an electronic appliance including: an inputmeans to receive a user gesture; and a processor is configured todetermine whether to unlock the input means, and to invoke anapplication, wherein the input means is unlocked and the application isinvoked according to a mapping process associated with a mapping tableby comparing the user gesture with the application of the mapping table.

The input means is capable of gesture input, and may be a motion sensor,a touch pad or touch screen, a speech recognition sensor or the like.The electronic appliance is a device having such a gesture input means,and may be a mobile terminal (a PDA, cellular phone, portable gameconsole, or PMP), a television set, a large format display, a digitalsignage, or a media kiosk.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of theinvention, and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a process for an unlocking method for anelectronic appliance capable of unlocking the appliance according to aninput gesture, according to exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view illustrating a setting screen for anunlocking object associated with the electronic appliance, according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view illustrating a display of an unlockingobject, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 are exemplary diagrams illustrating variousinput gestures and responses according to an unlocking method inresponse to the input gestures, according to exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a hardware that can be used to implementexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the inventionare shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplaryembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure is thorough, and will fully convey thescope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, thesize and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated forclarity. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

Prior to explaining exemplary embodiments of the present invention, forthe relevant terminology may be defined for the description below. Inthe following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set for the in order to provide a throughunderstanding of the present invention. It is apparent, however, to oneskilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced withoutthese specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In otherinstances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagramform in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.

For example, an electronic appliance (e.g., a mobile terminal) may bedeployed as a device, a mobile device, cellular handset (or phone), acordless phone, a mobile transmitter, a stationary wireless transmitter,a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, or apager. In addition, the mobile terminal may be any information andcommunication appliance or multimedia appliance having a touch screen ortouch pad, such as a portable multimedia player (PMP), digital broadcastreceiver, personal digital assistant (PDA), portable gaming console, orsmart phone.

However, the present invention is not limited only to a certain mobileterminal, and may be applied to any electronic appliance having agesture input means. For example, devices having a gesture input meansmay include a mobile terminal, a television set, a large format display(LFD), a digital signage (DS), and a media kiosk. A gesture input meansmay include a touch pad, a touch screen, a motion sensor, and a speechrecognition sensor.

In some examples, an input means is capable of inputting gesture, andmay be a motion sensor, a touch pad or touch screen, and a speechrecognition sensor. The device having such a gesture input means, forexample, can be implemented into a mobile terminal, a television set, alarge format display, a digital signage, or a media kiosk.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, theinvention may also relate to a method and apparatus for controlling anoperation of a mobile terminal having a touch screen or touch pad. Forexample, the method and apparatus may enable the user to unlock themobile terminal through an input gesture and to directly invoke anapplication mapped to the input gesture. The input gesture maycorrespond to a user action of drawing a figure or a pattern applied onthe touch screen or on touch pad.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, anunlocking object may be provided to unlock the mobile terminal accordingto user settings. The unlocking object may contain information regardingone or more unlocking gestures and applications mapped to the unlockinggestures. Also, the unlocking object may be displayed as screen data onidle screen while the mobile terminal is locked. Hence, the user mayreadily able to identify an unlocking gesture and an application may beinvoked in response to the unlocking gesture that is mapped.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, theunlocking object may not be displayed while the mobile terminal islocked according to user settings. Hence, the unlocking object may beutilized as an unlocking mechanism based on a user gesture and also beutilized as a security mechanism for protecting a privacy of the user.Settings for the unlocking object and displaying thereof may bepredefined (e.g., predetermined) or may be arranged by the user.

An example of the unlocking object is shown below in TABLE 1 in whichexemplary gestures associated with mapped function are illustrated.

TABLE 1 Gesture Mapped function Description

Dialer Unlock and invoke dialer 0 Main menu Unlock and invoke main menu/ Call log Unlock and invoke call log

Phonebook Unlock and invoke phonebook

Message Unlock and invoke message composition . . . . . . . . .

Table 1 illustrates exemplary unlocking gestures usable by the user. Theuser may apply one of the listed gestures to unlock the mobile terminaland may invoke an application, function or menu that may be performed bya mapping process by comparing the applied gesture with an applicationaccording to a mapping table (e.g., TABLE 1). It is noted that themapping process performed by comparing an unlocking gesture with anapplication may not be limited to the TABLE 1. The mapping conditions(e.g., mapping criteria), for example, for mapping an unlocking gesturewith the respective mapped application, may be changed according to usersettings, for example, an edition, an addition and a deletion of theapplication, or downloading an application from an external server(e.g., a server of a manufacturer). In addition, the unlocking objectmay be transmitted to and may be received from a different mobileterminal and may be shared therebetween.

In some examples, the unlocking object may be employed by an electronicappliance such as a television set, and an unlocking gesture may bemapped with a desired broadcast channels for selecting a channel. Whenthe user applies one of the unlocking gestures through an input gesturemeans, for example, a touch screen arranged to the remote controller ortelevision set, the television set may be unlocked and may be outputtingthe selected program broadcast channel based on a mapping process bycomparing a channel with the input gesture.

For example, for the purpose of illustrations, it is assumed that seriesof gestures, for example, ‘1,’ ‘2’ and ‘3’ may be mapped with therespective mapped broadcast channel identifiers, for example, ‘ch1,’‘ch2’ and ‘ch3’. The user may watch a broadcast program channelindicated by a channel identifier ‘ch1’ by applying the gesture ‘1’, andthe user may watch the broadcast program channel indicated by thechannel identifier ‘ch2’ by applying the gesture ‘2,’ and the user maywatch a broadcast program channel indicated by the channel identifier‘ch3’ by applying the gesture ‘3’. A gesture may be entered during thedisplay unit of the television set is turned off or on, and thetelevision set may recognize an input gesture and the user may receive abroadcast channel associated with the applied gesture regardless of thefact that the display unit is on or off.

In some examples, when the mobile terminal is locked (e.g., lockingmode), the terminal may display locking information and may display anunlocking object on idle screen so that the user may intuitivelyrecognize the locking mode. The locking information, for example, mayrefer to an image, a text, or an icon that can enable the user readilyto identify the current locking state of the mobile terminal. Theunlocking object may contain information associated with an unlockinggesture and an application mapped to the unlocking gestures. When theuser enters one of the unlocking gestures, the mobile terminal may beunlocked and the application mapped to the entered gesture may beinvoked and the application may be populated to the user via a displayunit. The unlocking gesture and application associated with theunlocking gesture may be set by the user by way of configuration.

In some examples, an unlocking gesture may be mapped to two or moreapplications. For example, applying an unlocking gesture may triggersimultaneously multiple invocation processes at which two or moreapplications may be invoked. For example, a gesture of

illustrated in TABLE 1 may be mapped to a phonebook function and amessage function, and applying the gesture of

may cause the electronic appliance (e.g., mobile terminal) ansimultaneous invocation process, consequently may invoke a phonebookfunction and a message function at the same time. In addition, apriority for the invocation process may be needed to be set betweenapplications if the same unlocking gesture is applied by a user.

For example, for performing a simultaneous execution of the invocationprocess, the screen data associated with the phonebook function may bedisplayed together with a message function in a format arrangement, forexample, a split screen, an overlapped screen, a vertical screen or ahorizontal screen by way of configuration. In addition, the phonebookfunction and the message function may be simultaneously executed, butthe screen data associated with the higher priority function may bedisplayed first and the screen data associated with lower priorityfunction may be displayed later or may be displayed as a background. Theuser may switch between the two functions through multitasking.

Priorities between applications mapped to the same gesture may beenumerated by a mapping table, as exemplary illustrated below in TABLE2.

TABLE 2 Gesture Mapped function . . . . . .

1. Phonebook 2. Message . . . . . . . . .

As illustrate in TABLE 2, the priority between the phonebook functionand the message function mapped to the same gesture of

may be configured by a mapping order.

In some examples, an option indicating whether to display the unlockingobject may also be set. Another option indicating whether to display allitems or to display a selected item in the unlocking object may alsoset.

Next, a description is given of a method for controlling the operationof a mobile terminal having a touch screen through user gestures. It isnoted that the present invention is not limited to the followingdescription and hence various embodiments are possible.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a process for an unlocking method for anelectronic appliance (e.g., a mobile terminal) capable of unlocking theterminal using an input gesture associated with an unlocking functionmodule according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. InFIG. 1, when the mobile terminal in idle mode and being locked, theunlocking object may be displayed on idle screen. However, the unlockingobject may be not displayed according to user settings for privacyprotection.

Referring to FIG. 1, the mobile terminal may wait in the idle mode (step101). When the mobile terminal may detect an input event (step 103), themobile terminal may check whether the input means is locked (step 105).A locking state may then be checked when an input event may be detected.The input means, for example, may be a touch screen, a touch pad, aremote controller, or a key pad. If an input event is detected throughthe input means, the mobile terminal may turn on the display unit and adisplay unit may be deployed using a display technology (e.g., liquidcrystal display (LCD) technology).

If the input means is not locked, the mobile terminal may perform anoperation requested by the input event (107). For example, the mobileterminal may display the idle screen or may display the initial menu.

If the input means is locked, the mobile terminal may display lockinginformation and may display the unlocking object on idle screen toenable the user readily to identify the locking state (step 109). Here,the unlocking object may not be displayed according to user settings. Adescription of the locking information and the unlocking object may beprovided according to TABLE 1 and TABLE 2.

The mobile terminal may check whether a touch event can be an inputthrough the touch screen (step 111). If a touch event is determined asnot an input, the mobile terminal may await an input from the user for apreset time (e.g., predetermined time or time threshold) (step 113). Ifno input is received from the user prior to the preset time expires, themobile terminal may remain in idle mode with the display unit beingturned off.

As in step 115, if a touch event is determined as an input, the mobileterminal may check whether the input touch event corresponds to agesture of a given pattern (e.g., predetermined gesture). If the inputtouch event does not correspond to a gesture, the mobile terminal maycheck whether the input touch event corresponds to an unlocking request(step 117). For example, the input touch event may correspond to theamount of time and/or strength of press input (e.g., a long press inputor short press input based on a time threshold for determining pressingduration and/or strength) at a given zone (e.g., predetermined touchzone) for unlocking the mobile terminal.

If the input touch event corresponding to an unlock request (e.g., along press input for unlocking) is determined, the mobile terminal mayunlock the input means and may display an initial screen or display anidle screen) (step 121). If the input touch event does not correspond toan unlocking request, the mobile terminal may perform requestedoperation according to the mapping process of the applied input touchevent (step 119). According to the mapping process, the mobile terminalmay display a popup window indicating the locking mode, or may ignorethe input touch event.

If the input touch event corresponds to a gesture, in step 115, themobile terminal may identify the input gesture, per 123, and may checkwhether the input gesture is specified in the unlocking object (step125). As such, the input gesture may be compared with an unlockinggesture specified in the unlocking object, as exemplarily illustrated inTABLE 1 or TABLE 2.

If the input gesture is not specified in the unlocking object, themobile terminal may perform an operation requested by the input gesture(step 127). For example, the mobile terminal may determine the inputgesture as an error, and may issue a notice of the locking mode, and mayinstruct a retry request. The mobile terminal may request the user todecide whether to include a new input gesture as an unlocking gesture inthe unlocking object. If the user decides to include the new inputgesture as an one of gesture of the unlocking object, the mobileterminal may request the user to assign an application corresponding tothe new input gesture. During the assignment process, the mobileterminal may automatically unlock the input means, and may perform auser authentication process according to user settings.

If the input gesture is specified in the unlocking object, the mobileterminal may identify the application mapped to the input gesture (step129). The mobile terminal may then unlock the input means, may invokethe identified application, and may display a screen for the application(step 131).

Hereinabove, exemplary processes are provided for a control method inwhich the mobile terminal may be unlocked according to a gesture appliedto the touch screen and an application mapped to the gesture may beinvoked.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view illustrating a setting screen for anunlocking object related to the electronic appliance according toexemplary embodiments of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, a mobile terminal, capable of unlocking operationaccording to an input gesture, is provided as an example. The mobileterminal may include an input gesture module associated with a mappingtable to determine whether an input gesture matches with the respectivegesture of an unlocking object. And the determination may be processedusing a mapper (e.g., mapping table).

In some examples, the user may setup an option for locking and unlockingof the mobile terminal using a menu. As seen in FIG. 2, for example,five types of gestures may be provided, and the user may select anapplication to be mapped to one of the five gestures. FIG. 2 may showthat each of the gestures

, 0, /,

, and

can be mapped with respect to a dialer function, a main menu, a call logfunction, a phonebook function, and a message function.

The user may unlock the mobile terminal by applying (e.g., executing ormaking) one of the five gestures, and may immediately invoke theapplication mapped to the applied gesture. For example, if the usermakes the gesture

through a touch screen, the mobile terminal 100 may recognize thegesture

, and may unlock the input means, and may invoke the phonebook functionand display of a related screen may be followed.

The gestures of the unlocking object may be changed, added, and deletedby way of configuration of the user. If not all the gestures are mappedwith applications, a gesture mapped with other function may be displayedon a terminal idle screen. For example, when gestures

and

are mapped to particular applications, the unlocking object may haveinformation with respect to the gestures

and

and applications mapped with the gestures may be displayed.

In some examples, the unlocking object 105 may further include an optionfor indicating whether to hide the unlocking object is necessary toprotect a privacy of the user. The user may set gestures and associatedapplications by controlling the access to the terminal with arestriction as to display of the unlocking object in whole or in part.

When the user sets the option to “display whole,” the entire unlockingobject may be displayed on terminal idle screen in locking mode. Whenthe user sets the option to “hide,” the unlocking object 105 may not bedisplayed on terminal idle screen in locking mode although the mobileterminal can be unlocked by a specific gesture.

When the user sets the option to “display in part,” only selected itemsof the unlocking object may be displayed on terminal idle screen inlocking mode. For example, the mobile terminal may also be unlocked byexecuting a hidden gesture and an application mapped to the hiddengesture may also be invoked.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view illustrating display of the unlocking objectwhen the electronic appliance device is locked according to exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3 an exemplary unlocking object 330 may be providedwith an option of “display whole.”

The mobile terminal may remain in idle mode as the display unit isturned off. If the mobile terminal detects an input event, the mobileterminal may turn on the display unit and may display the unlockingobject 330. As the unlocking object 330 may include informationassociated with one or more unlocking gestures and applications mappedto the respective unlocking gestures, the user may readily able toidentify a desired unlocking gesture and may invoke an application to bepopulated or displayed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile terminal 100 may further provide a lockindicator 310 at a zone for unlocking. For example, a lock-shaped iconmay be used for the lock indicator 310 to inform the user of the lockingstate of the mobile terminal.

The user may apply a long press input on the lock indicator 310 tounlock the mobile terminal. A “long press input” may correspond to aninput of “press and hold” in which input time for the long press inputmay require a longer than or equal to a time threshold.

In some examples, FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 may be related to a mobileterminal having a full touch screen feature. However, the presentinvention may not be limited to a mobile terminal having a full touchscreen feature, and may also be applied to all types of mobile terminalshaving a touch screen such as folder type, a bar type, and a slide type.The present invention may be applied to a mobile terminal having a touchpad capable of receiving and detecting an applied gesture.

FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6 are exemplary diagrams illustrating variousinput gestures and responses according to an unlocking method inresponse to the input gestures according to exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the user may enter a gesture,while the mobile terminal is in the locking status the terminal 100 maydisplay the unlocking object, as shown in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 4, in response to an input with an O-shaped gesture, the mobileterminal may be unlocked and an application mapped to the input O-shapedgesture may be invoked. For example, the application mapped to theO-shaped gesture may be a main menu, and then an item in the main menumay be displayed.

Referring to FIG. 4, if the mobile terminal, being in the locking state,displays the unlocking object in idle screen, the user may apply anO-shaped gesture on the touch screen. In response to detection of theO-shaped gesture, the mobile terminal may recognize the O-shaped gestureas an unlocking gesture having an application of mapping tableillustrated as an example in TABLE 1, and may unlock the input means,and may invoke the main menu according to mapping the application withthe O-shaped gesture. As a result, items of the main menu may bedisplayed.

As shown in FIG. 5, in response to a V-shaped gesture input, the mobileterminal may be unlocked and an application mapped to the input V-shapedgesture may be invoked. By way of a configuration, for example, theapplication mapped to the V-shaped gesture can be a dialer, and thedialer may be invoked.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the mobile terminal, in locking state,displays the unlocking object on the idle screen, the user may make aV-shaped gesture on the touch screen. In response to detection of theV-shaped gesture, the mobile terminal may recognize the V-shaped gestureas an unlocking gesture having an application mapped illustrated as anexample in TABLE 1, and may unlock the input means, and may invoke thedialer mapped to the V-shaped gesture. As a result, screen dataassociated with the dialer may be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 6, in response to input gesture

, the mobile terminal may be unlocked and an application mapped to theinput gesture

may be invoked. If an application mapped to the gesture

is a message composer, and the message composer can be invoked.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the mobile terminal in locking state displaysthe unlocking object on the idle screen, the user may apply a gesture

on the touch screen. In response to the gesture

, the mobile terminal may recognize the gesture

as an unlocking gesture having an application mapped as illustrated inTABLE 1 as an example, and may unlock the input means, and may invokethe message composer mapped to the gesture

. As a result, screen data related to the message composer may bedisplayed.

As described above in connection with FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4,FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, the user may apply a gesture (e.g., predeterminedgesture) to operate to unlock the mobile terminal and directly to invokean application or a function mapped to the applied gesture. For example,unlocking of the mobile terminal and invocation of a desired functionmay be performed by a single gesture. The user may use the mobileterminal in convenient way and may execute a desired function in a rapidmanner.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the mobileterminal may provide the user with a hint for a gesture-making action.As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the mobile terminal mayrepresent a guideline for visual path to follow a movement of the fingeror a stylus to make a gesture on the screen.

Hereinabove, in connection with FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5and FIG. 6, a description is provided with respect to a method forcontrolling a mobile terminal having a touch screen in response to inputof a gesture, the mobile terminal may be unlocked and a functionassociated with corresponding gesture may be executed. Next, a mobileterminal capable of carrying out the above-described method is provided.However, the mobile terminal of the present invention is not limitedonly to the following description.

For the purpose of description, an electronic appliance (e.g., a mobilecommunication terminal) may be provided as an example of the mobileterminal of the present invention, however, the present invention is notlimited to a mobile communication terminal. The mobile terminal of thepresent invention may be any types of mobile communication terminalsthat can operate according to one of communication protocols employed byvarious communication systems, and may be any information; and theexamples of the mobile terminal may be a communication appliance or amultimedia appliance having a touch screen or a touch pad, such as aportable multimedia player (PMP), a digital broadcast receiver, apersonal digital assistant (PDA), a portable gaming console, or a smartphone.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a hardware that can be used to implementexemplary embodiments of the present invention. Although illustratedhardware of an electronic appliance (e.g., a mobile communicationterminal) is described as an example of the mobile terminal of thepresent invention, the present invention is not limited to a mobilecommunication terminal.

FIG. 7 depicts a mobile terminal including a touch screen 740 having adisplay section 741 and a touch sensor 743 as a single entity. However,the present invention is not limited to such configuration. The mobileterminal may include a display unit (not shown) and a touch pad (notshown) for detecting a gesture input as an independent device. As such,the touch sensor may acting as a gesture input means that may be one ofa touch screen 740 at which a touch pad may be configured thereof. Ifthe mobile terminal includes both a touch screen 740 and a touch pad,the touch screen 740 and the touch pad may be served as a gesture inputmeans.

Referring to FIG. 7, the mobile terminal may include a radiocommunication unit 710, an input unit 720, an audio processing unit 730,a touch screen 740, a storage unit 750, and a control unit 760. Thetouch screen 740 may include a display section 741 and a touch sensor743.

The radio communication unit 710 may perform a communication operationfor the mobile terminal. The radio communication unit 710 may establisha communication channel to a mobile communication network and mayperform communication associated with a voice call, a video telephonycall, and data call. The radio communication unit 710 may include aradio frequency (RF) transmitter configured to upconvert a frequency ofsignal for transmitting and amplifying the signal, and an RF receiverincluding a filter is configured to gain low-noise amplifying a receivedsignal and to downconvert the frequency of the received signal.

The input unit 720 is configured to receive input alphanumericinformation and various input signals to set functions and to controlthe mobile terminal, and to send the input information and signals tothe control unit 760. The input unit 720 may include a keypad and/or atouch pad to generate an input signal corresponding to a user action. Ina configuration, the input unit 720 may include a touch pad capable ofreceiving an input gesture. As such, the touch screen 740 may bereplaced with a regular display means. In some configurations, the inputunit 720 may be included in the touch screen 740. For example, the touchscreen 740 may act as both an input means and a display means, and theinput unit 720 may be omitted by way of configuration.

The audio processing unit 730 may be connected to a microphone MIC and aspeaker (SPK). The audio processing unit 730 is configured to send anaudio signal input through the microphone (MIC) to the control unit 760,and to output an audio signal from the control unit 760 through thespeaker (SPK). The audio processing unit 730 is configured to convert ananalog audio signal input through the microphone (MIC) into a digitalaudio signal, and to convert a digital audio signal from the controlunit 760 into an analog audio signal. The audio processing unit 730 isconfigured to reproduce various types of audio signals generated in themobile terminal (e.g., an audio signal generated by playback of an MP3file) according to a user selection.

The touch screen 740 may include an input/output means for input anddisplay, and may include the display section 741 and touch sensor 743.

The display section 741 is configured to display screen data generatedby the operation of the mobile terminal 100, and to display statusinformation according to user function based on user settings. Thedisplay section 741 may display various screen data associated with thefunctional status of the mobile terminal. The display section 741 mayvisually present various signals and color information from the controlunit 760. In an idle mode, the display section 741 may be turned on andoff by the control unit 760. When the mobile terminal is turned on inlocking state, the display section 741 may display the unlocking objectaccording to a setting.

The touch sensor 743 may be arranged at the display section 741, and maydetect a touch on the touch screen 740. If a touch is detected on thetouch screen 740, the touch sensor 743 may identify the coordinatedvalue of the touched point and may send the detected coordinated valueto the control unit 760. As such, the touch sensor 743 may detect atouch generated by a user, may create a signal corresponding to thedetected touch, and may send the signal to the control unit 760. Thecontrol unit 760 may perform a function associated with the touch point.

In some examples, the touch screen 740 may sense a gesture input by theuser. If an input gesture is detected by the touch sensor 743, while theunlocking object being displayed on the display section 741, the touchscreen 740 may send the input gesture to the control unit 760. Inresponse to the input gesture, the control unit 760 may unlock themobile terminal, may invoke an application associated with the inputgesture, and may output screen data for the invoked application to thedisplay section 741.

The storage unit 750 may include a read only memory (ROM) and a randomaccess memory (RAM). The storage unit 750 may store various data that isgenerated and utilized by the mobile terminal. For example, the variousdata may include data generated by executing an application, datagenerated by operating the mobile terminal, or data received from anexternal entity, for example, a base station, another mobile terminal,or a personal computer. Various data may include setting information asto the user interface, user settings for invoking an application, usersettings for unlocking a mobile terminal. The storage unit 750 may storeinformation as to mapping may be processed by the control unit 760 bycomparing an unlocking gesture with an application, which may correspondto the unlocking object.

The storage unit 750 may store an application for controlling theoperation of the mobile terminal, and an application associated with theunlocking method of the present invention. Various types of applicationsmay be stored in an application storage area (not shown) of the storageunit 750. In addition, the storage unit 750 may include one or morebuffers to temporarily store data generated by executing an application.

The control unit 760 including a processor (not shown) may control theoperation of the mobile terminal, and may control signal communicatedbetween internal blocks of the mobile terminal. In some examples, thecontrol unit 760 may control signal communicated from and to each of theinternal blocks including the radio communication unit 710, the inputunit 720, the audio processing unit 730, the touch screen 740, and thestorage unit 750.

In response to reception of an input gesture from the touch screen 740in locking state, the control unit 760 may unlock the mobile terminaland may cause to invoke an application associated with the inputgesture.

When an event is detected in the locking state, the control unit 760 maydisplay the unlocking object on the display section 741 according touser settings. The control unit 760 may determine whether the mobileterminal can be unlocked in response to a gesture input through thetouch screen 740. If a gesture is an input applied through the touchscreen 740, the control unit 760 may identify the input gesture, maycheck whether the input gesture is a gesture specified in the unlockingobject, may unlock the mobile terminal if the input gesture is aspecified gesture (e.g., predetermined gesture), may identify (e.g.,determine) the application mapped to the specified gesture, may invokethe identified application, and may cause to display of screen dataassociated with the invoked application.

The control unit 760 may control the operation associated with theunlocking method of the present invention described as an example inconnection with FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Thiscontrol function may be implemented using software.

According to various exemplary embodiments of the invention, executionof the instructions contained in the storage unit 750 may cause theprocessor to perform processes according to the instructions. Thecontrol unit 760 may include one or more processors in amulti-processing arrangement to execute the instructions contained instorage unit 750. Hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of, or incombination with, software instructions to implement one or more of theexemplary embodiments of the present invention. For example,reconfigurable hardware, such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs),can be used, and functionality and connection topology of the FPGA logicgates may be customized at run-time, typically by programming memorylook up tables. Thus, exemplary embodiments of the present invention arenot limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and/orsoftware.

A “computer-readable medium” may refer to any medium that providesinstructions to the processor for execution. Such a medium may beimplemented in various forms, including but not limited to, non-volatilemedia, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media mayinclude, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as the storagedevice. Volatile media may include dynamic memory, such as main memory.Transmission media may include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiberoptics, including the wires that comprise the bus. Transmission mediacan also take the form of acoustic, optical, or electromagnetic waves,such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR)data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include,for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape,any other suitable magnetic medium, a compact disk read-only memory(CD-ROM), compact disc rewritable (CDRW), digital video disc (DVD), anyother suitable optical medium, punch cards, optical mark sheets, anyother suitable physical medium with patterns of holes or other opticallyrecognizable indicia, a random-access memory (RAM), a programmableread-only memory (PROM), and erasable programmable read-only memory(EPROM), a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, and acarrier wave.

Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in providinginstructions to a processor for execution. For example, the instructionsfor carrying out at least part of the present invention may beimplemented on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote mobileterminal may load the instructions into the storage unit 750 and maysend the instructions, for example, over a telephone line using a modem.A modem of a local system may receive the data on a telephone lineand/or may be used an infrared transmitter to convert the data to aninfrared signal and may transmit the infrared signal to the electronicappliance (e.g., mobile terminal). The electronic device may receiveinformation and instructions provided by the infrared signal. The busmay provide the information and instructions to the storage unit 750,from which a processor may retrieve and execute the instructions. Theinstructions received by storage unit 750 may optionally be storedeither before or after execution by the control unit 760.

The control unit 760 may include a baseband module (not shown) toreceive a mobile communication service. The baseband module may also beincluded in the radio communication unit 710, or may be provided as aseparate entity as an independent component of the control unit 760 orthe radio communication unit 710.

The mobile terminal of FIG. 7 may include various types of componentsfor implementing the present invention. Although not shown in FIG. 7,the mobile terminal of the present invention may further include adigital broadcast receiver module configured to receive a digitalbroadcast, a short-range communication module configured to receiveshort-range communication, and an Internet communication moduleconfigured to communicate with an Internet network. The mobile terminalmay further include various types of units (e.g., components) or modulesfor enabling digital convergence. As for a mobile terminal, one blockmay be omitted or replaced with another block according to aconfiguration. Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize aconfiguration.

The present invention may be applied to a mobile terminal, but is notlimited to a mobile terminal. The present invention may also be appliedto various types of electronic appliances having a gesture input means.The gesture input means may be a motion sensor that may generate amotion sensing signal corresponding to movement of the user, a touch pador touch screen that may generate a touch sensing signal correspondingto contact and movement of an object (for example, a finger or stylus),a speech recognition sensor may generate a speech sensing signalcorresponding to speech activation by the user. The electronic appliancemay be a device having such a gesture input means, and may be varioustypes of mobile terminals, for example, a personal digital assistance(PDA), cellular phone, portable game console, or portable multimediaplayer (PMP), a television set, a large format display, a digitalsignage, and a media kiosk. The display part of the electronic appliancemay be configured by utilizing various types of display technologiesbased on, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma displaypanel (PDP), and an organic light emitting diodes (OLED). The gestureinput means may be configured by utilizing a remote controller for anelectronic appliance. The remote controller may include a keypad forsensing an activity on a button, or may include a gyro sensor, anacceleration sensor, an infrared light emitting diode (LED) and an imagesensor for sensing a movement or a pointing action. The remotecontroller may generate a control signal corresponding to a sensingresult, and may send the control signal via wired or wirelesscommunication network to the electronic appliance, which then mayoperate according to a user gesture.

The electronic appliance of the present invention may have an exemplaryconfiguration of a mobile terminal. For example, the electronicappliance may include an input means configured to receive a user inputand user gesture, a control means configured to determine whether tounlock the electronic appliance according to an input gesture, or tocause to invoke an application mapped to the input gesture in responseto detection of unlocking. The electronic appliance may further includea display means configured to display an unlocking object in response todetermination of a mapping performed by comparing an unlocking gesturewith an application, and a storage means is configured to store theunlocking object. Various types of components of the electronicappliance may correspond operate a mobile terminal.

The unlocking method for an electronic appliance having an input meansmay include sensing an input gesture through the input means, unlockingthe electronic appliance according to the input gesture, and invoking anapplication mapped to the input gesture in response to detection ofunlocking. Sensing an input gesture may include detecting a sensingsignal generated by a motion sensor for detecting a movement of theuser, a sensing signal generated by a touch pad or touch screen sensingcontacted and applied movement by a particular object, a sensing signalgenerated by a speech recognition sensor for detecting speech control bythe user, and a control signal generated and transmitted by a remotecontroller sensing motion or pointing action by the user. An operationmethod for unlocking the electronic appliance may correspond to anoperation method for unlocking of the mobile terminal.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, theinvention may provide an unlocking method and apparatus for anelectronic appliance that enable the user to unlock the electronicappliance in a convenient way. When the electronic appliance isunlocked, the user can invoke a desired function and/or a frequentlyused function, thus enhancing usability of the electronic appliance.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, theunlocking method and apparatus for a mobile terminal enable the user tounlock the mobile terminal appliance in a convenient way by applying agesture through a touch screen or touch pad and to invoke a functionmapped to the applied gesture. Hence, usability of the mobile terminalcan be enhanced.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention if a mobileterminal is locked, information regarding to a mapping process may beperformed between unlocking gestures and an application may be providedon idle screen, the information enables the user to appreciateaccommodated function of the unlocking gestures associated withrespective application in an intuitive way through the mapping process.The information with respect to mapping process performed between anunlocking gesture and an application may not be displayed on an idlescreen according to user settings for protecting a privacy of the user.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it isintended that the present invention cover the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A method, comprising: detecting an input gesture applied by an inputmeans, the input means being locked; unlocking the input means inresponse to the input gesture; and invoking an application mapped to theinput gesture.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:identifying, in response to detection of the input gesture, the inputgesture; and determining whether the input gesture is a mapped gesture.3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining whether the gesture is amapped gesture comprises comparing the input gesture with a registeredgesture.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: activating, inresponse to detection of the input gesture, a display section; anddisplaying an unlocking object based on an activation of the displaysection.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying aninput gesture displayed of the unlocking object; unlocking, in responseto determination of the input gesture mapped with the registeredgesture, the input means; and invoking an application mapped to theinput gesture.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein displaying theunlocking object comprises displaying information of the unlockingobject in locking state in response to activation of the displaysection.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the unlocking objectcomprises information of an unlocking gesture or an application mappedto the unlocking gesture.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:providing path information of a user input gesture.
 9. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the unlocking object is displayed in whole, displayedin part, hidden in whole or hidden in part according to user settings.10. The method of claim 1, wherein the input means comprises a touchscreen or a touch pad.
 11. A terminal, comprising: a touch sensorassociated with input means to receive an input gesture, the input meansbeing locked; a display section to display an unlocking object; astorage unit to store the unlocking object; and a control unit todetermine whether the input gesture is mapped with an application of theunlocking object, wherein an application mapped to the input gesture isdisplayed in response to detection of unlocking the input means.
 12. Theterminal of claim 11, wherein the control unit is configured to identifythe input gesture through the touch sensor, to determine whether theinput gesture is a registered gesture, and to control unlocking of theinput means associated with to invoke an application based on thedetermination
 13. The terminal of claim 11, wherein the control unit isconfigured to determine, in response to detection of a user input,whether the input means is locked, whether the user input is an inputgesture, and whether the input gesture is mapped with a registeredgesture.
 14. The terminal of claim 11, wherein the control unit isconfigured to activate the display section, and to output an unlockingobject to the display section.
 15. The terminal of claim 13, wherein thecontrol unit is configured to determine, in response to detection ofunlocking object being displayed according to the determination that theinput gesture is mapped with a registered gesture, an application ismapped to the input gesture.
 16. The terminal of claim 11, wherein thecontrol unit is configured to control the display section to displayinformation of the locking state of the input means and information ofthe unlocking object.
 17. The terminal of claim 11, wherein theunlocking object comprises information of an unlocking gesture andinformation of an application mapped to the unlocking gesture.
 18. Theterminal of claim 11, wherein the control unit is configured to controlthe display section to output path information of a user input gesture.19. The terminal of claim 11, wherein the control unit is configured tocontrol an operation of the unlocking object being displayed in whole,displayed in part, hidden in whole or hidden in part according to usersettings.
 20. The terminal of claim 11, wherein the touch sensorcomprises an input means formed to the display section, and anindividual input means independent from the display section.
 21. Anelectronic appliance comprising: an input means to receive a usergesture; and a processor is configured to determine whether to unlockthe input means, and to invoke an application, wherein the input meansis unlocked and the application is invoked according to a mappingprocess associated with a mapping table by comparing the user gesturewith the application of the mapping table.
 22. The electronic applianceof claim 21, further comprising: a display means configured to display aunlocking object, the input means being locked, and to displayinformation of the user gestures; and a storage means configured tostore an unlocking object.
 23. The electronic appliance of claim 21,wherein the input means comprises: a motion sensor configured togenerate an input gesture according to a motion by a user; a touch pador touch screen configured to generate an input gesture transmitted by asensing contact and a movement of an object; a speech recognition sensorconfigured to generate an input signal transmitted by a sensing vocalsound of the user; and a remote controller configured to generate acontrol signal according to sensing motion or pointing action of theuser, and to transmit the control signal to the electronic appliance viatelecommunications network comprising a wired communication and awireless communication.
 24. An unlocking method for an electronicappliance, comprising: detecting an input gesture through an input meanscapable of receiving the input gesture; unlocking the input means inresponse to the input gesture; and invoking an application mapped to theinput gesture.
 25. The unlocking method of claim 24, further comprising:storing an unlocking object; activating, in response to detection of aninput gesture, the input means being locked, a display means; displayingan unlocking object in response to activation of the display means; anddisplaying an information mapped to the input gesture from the inputmeans.
 26. The unlocking method of claim 24, wherein detecting the inputgesture through an input means comprises detecting of: a gesture inputsignal generated by a motion sensor configured to detect motion of theuser; a gesture input signal generated by a touch pad or touch screenconfigured to detect a contact and a movement of an object; a gestureinput signal generated by a speech recognition sensor configured todetect a vocal sound of the user; and an input gesture signalcorresponding to a control signal that is generated by a remotecontroller configured to detect a motion or a pointing action of theuser, and to transmit the detected motion or the pointing action viatelecommunications network comprising a wired communication and awireless communication.